We’re back in the whole section today because love is all over it. God’s love for us that is. Let’s look, for the final time this Advent, at Romans 5:1-5.
Romans 5:1-5 (Amplified Bible)
Please read Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). 2 Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our [a]hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power]. 3 And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; 4 and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. 5 Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Footnotes
[a] Romans 5:2 In the NT the word “hope” expresses a cherished desire along with the confident assurance of obtaining that which is longed for.
We have been justified by faith. – Forgiven forever! Love.
At Peace with God – who is Love Himself.
Reconciled to Him through Jesus our Lord. Himself the Messiah, the Christ, the One through whom we have all this access. And here it is again, Grace, the grace we have a remarkable state of it. And we are firmly and securely standing in it. Grace is undeserved favor. You are we are under that favor all of our days in faith. So that we can exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships knowing that all of this is producing patient endurance and proven character and eternal salvation. So we need never fear, never be disappointed. Hope in God, for His love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom He gave us. Love all over it. God all over it. God with us, within us, surrounding us on all sides. Watching over us and protecting us and oh, it’s all Love.
Merry Christmas.
I want to read Hope.
No, I need Peace.
How about Joy?